ION Technical Content
Microwave Landing System (MLS)
| Abstract: | In 1978 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) took a major step forward when it approved the Microwave Landing System (MLS) as the precision approach and landing aid of the future replacing the current Instrument Landing System (ILS). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has embarked on a nation-wide implementation program for MLS which will involve 1250 systems. The first production contract was awarded in January 1984 with installations to start in 1986. MLS works on a scanning beam concept. Two beams are scanned, one in azimuth and the second in elevation. An aircraft derives angular information by intercepting the two beams. Range information is achieved v1a a Precision Distance Measuring Equipment (DME/P). The DME/P has system accuracies greater than current DME equipment but will be capable of interoperating with current equipment. The military forces of the U.S. and NATO countries have adopted MLS for milltary use and there are ongoing programs in the U.S. and Italy. There are two sources of both ground stations and avionics for civil use; Bendix and Hazeltine for ground stations, Bendix and Sperry for avionics. At the present time a total of 13 civil systems have been procured and are installed in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Italy. |
| Published in: |
Proceedings of the 1985 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 15 - 17, 1985 San Diego, CA |
| Pages: | 209 - 218 |
| Cite this article: | Strong, John J., "Microwave Landing System (MLS)," Proceedings of the 1985 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, CA, January 1985, pp. 209-218. |
| Full Paper: |
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